Residents protest dog shooting by Ohio officer

SANDUSKY -- Animal-loving residents of a northern Ohio community are protesting the recent shooting death of a dog by a police officer.

Several dozen sign-carrying demonstrators in Sandusky demonstrated in front of the municipal court building Wednesday. It was part of the local outcry since a city police officer killed a pet Rottweiler named Lucy on Feb. 21.

The officer, who was responding to a complaint of a dog running loose in the area, said the dog lunged at him before he fired the shot.

The Sandusky Register reports that police Chief Brad Wilson is dealing with the fallout from the shooting - including emails from angry residents.

The dog's owner, Donna Hansen, appeared in court Wednesday to plead not guilty to citations for dog at large and unlicensed dog.